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Bill115th CongressFiled May 23, 2017Government Operations and Politics
S. 1208

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

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What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Dec 21, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on October 16, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.

DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.

If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

(Sec. 4) DHS must report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment describing the implementation of requirements under this bill, the fee imposed, and the number of times during the previous year that a person used a service under this bill.

What just happenedDec 22, 2017

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ](D-NJ)Sponsor
2 cosponsors1 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
2cosponsors1committees11actions2related bills7subjects
  1. Dec 22, 2017FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Dec 22, 2017FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Dec 22, 2017Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Dec 21, 2017Floor

    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8270-8271; text: CR S8270-8271)

  5. Dec 21, 2017Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8270-8271; text: CR S8270-8271)

  6. Oct 16, 2017Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 241.

  7. Oct 16, 2017Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-171.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  8. Oct 16, 2017Committee14000

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-171.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  9. Jul 26, 2017Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  10. May 23, 2017IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  11. May 23, 2017IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedDec 21, 201735

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on October 16, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.

DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.

If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

(Sec. 4) DHS must report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment describing the implementation of requirements under this bill, the fee imposed, and the number of times during the previous year that a person used a service under this bill.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Oct 16, 20171

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.

DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.

If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

(Sec. 4) DHS must report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment describing the implementation of requirements under this bill, the fee imposed, and the number of times during the previous year that a person used a service under this bill.

Introduced in SenateMay 23, 2017

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.

DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.

If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act — Informed